COM student appointed to powerful statewide committee

Pia Oestlien, College of Marin’s student delegate to the Student Senate for the California Community Colleges, was recently appointed as one of two student representatives from across the state to serve on the statewide Consultation Council to the Board of Governors—a committee where draft ideas are hashed out between the various constituencies in the California Community College system before being presented to the statewide Board.

Oestlien, who also serves as a senator-at-large on the State Student Senate executive council and chair of Region III of the Student Senate, was nominated by Rose Nemet, Region III senator from Diablo Valley College, at the Student Senate council’s regular January meeting. Also appointed was Josh Sears, Region IV senator from Monterey Peninsula College, and three other students from the 30-member council. Oestlien and Sears won, garnering 12 and 13 votes, respectively, from the 19 council members present.

Oestlien—who will serve until June 30—has promised to work hard for the students. “I’m looking forward to representing the students, to making sure their voices are heard, and to being part of a team that accomplishes many great things for the California Community College student body,” says Oestlien.

Oestlien has won praise from her peers as well. Hoa-Long Tam, President of the Associated Students of the College of Marin, says, “I believe that Pia will be an unwavering advocate for student rights in the California Community College system; she doesn’t back down, and she will get the job done. The students of the community college system are well served by the Student Senate council’s decision to appoint her.”

Dr. Arnulfo Cedillo, College of Marin Director of Student Affairs and Health center and ASCOM advisor, says, “It’s a great honor for College of Marin to have a student serving on consultation council.”

However, Pia’s term only lasts until June 30, and no one has yet shown interest in succeeding her as College of Marin’s State Student Senate delegate. Students taking at least six credit units who are interested in following in her footsteps and representing the students of College of Marin at the state level can get more information in the ASCOM office, SS 241.

About the Student Senate: The Student Senate is one of four branches of Student Government at the College of Marin, representing all enrolled students to the faculty, staff, administration and trustees of the College. Students interested in any branch of student government are welcome to drop by SS 241, on the Kentfield campus, for more information. Elections are held every April, and packets will be available shortly.

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Hoa-Long Tam
President
Associated Students
College of Marin
835 College Ave.
Kentfield, CA, 94904
Tel 415.485.9390
Fax 415.456.7770
hoalong.tam@marin.edu